Dr. Aida Abaz Quka
Neurology
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I am a male, age is 28 years, normal blood test results. After struggling with porn addiction for many years I decided to completely stop. However, everyday from 6 PM I have intense lightheadedness. I cannot go out, drink, go to the gym or be functional at night. I had sometimes panic attacks which lasted for some time and lightheadedness for 2 to 3 hours straight. I stopped since three months my porn use, and I personally suspect that I could have post acute withdrawal symptoms since I got to those chat sites for a lot of years already. I do not know if it is normal or an underlying condition.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com. I read carefully your question and would explain that your symptoms are suggestive of panic attacks. I agree with you on the fact that these could be withdrawal symptoms. For this reason, I would recommend trying natural ways to relieve your anxiety: Yoga and meditation, recreational sports, going out with friends in the afternoon, taking herbal supplements (Passiflora and Valeriana) in order to improve your situation when the lightheadedness occurs, taking daily Magnesium supplements which can help calm your nervous system and improve your mental health, and reduce maximally coffee or energy drinks intake. If these tips do not help, consulting with a psychotherapist may be helpful.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
On the last day, I went to the emergency room as the lightheadedness was severe. They did some blood tests and found out that I had a panic attack and hypokalemia. My question is, can withdrawal symptoms from porn addiction and stress (adrenal fatigue) cause this? Sometimes I can go to the gym with no problem especially when I take St. John’s Wort in a predictable way. When I do not, I feel dizzy. What is your recommendation?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com. Thank you for the additional information! Regarding your concern, the symptoms are typical of anxiety. The fact that John's Wort pill and gym help improve your situation, is another argument in favor of anxiety. On the other hand, it is true that anxiety could be related to porn addiction. So, I recommend focusing on your anxiety and trying to manage it. Nothing serious is going on. So relax and do not worry about it!
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
My appetite is not good for ten days, and I also lost a few kilos. Furthermore, today I took vitamin B-complex, magnesium, and St. John’s wort and felt better. However, while working I had a sudden crash and felt really low energy. Regarding post-acute withdrawal symptoms, why do they happen suddenly during the day, and I end up with an energy crash? I am not aware that I am anxious or stressed nowadays, but still have these energy ups and downs. How long do you think they should last? I also realized that I had hidden obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) that did not appear until I stopped my addiction. Could this be taxing on the mind that makes me tired during the evening?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com. You should know that panic attacks can occur at any time, even in the absence of any obvious cause. Of course, they consume a lot of energy. I think these episodes may last up to some months. For this reason, I recommend performing a lot of sports and yoga to help manage your anxiety. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) (obsessive-compulsive disorder) can cause a lot of stress to your body too. Anyway, there is no reason to panic. It is a temporary situation, and you will feel better gradually if you focus on your anxiety and the natural ways to deal with it.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
My problem is that I feel so tired that I cannot play sports. I feel that if I play sports I might get even more tired. I got some blood tests done today for vitamin deficiency, and the results will come next week. Regarding the panic attacks, I am not getting any, just constant tiredness. It seems that it changed from panic to being tired. That is the reason I cannot go and play sports. What do you recommend in that case? Until the blood results are out next week, do you think I should still take magnesium even if I feel better? My problem is that I take vitamins and then the next day I do not, especially when I feel better until I again have problems. Then I begin taking St John’s wort and magnesium. Should I continue taking them without stopping?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com. Thank you for the additional information! I recommend you continue taking magnesium and St. John's wort every day to help recover from this situation. The vitamins can help too if taken continuously for some months. Hope you found this answer helpful! Let me know about the tests. I would be glad to review them.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
The results showed vitamin D3 - 14 mcg. Does vitamin D deficiency contribute to this too? And today I could not go to work because I felt tired and lightheaded again. So the supplements that I will now take are St. John’s wort, magnesium, Omega 3, B-complex, probiotics for my stomach as I also have sensitive stomach. Do you recommend any other supplement?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com. The vitamin D levels are low, and it may contribute to your fatigue and anxiety. For this reason, I would recommend taking vitamin D supplements (maybe 3000 IU or 4000 IU daily) for a couple of months after consulting your specialist doctor. It does not interfere with the other supplements that you are taking. Hope you will find this answer helpful! If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I am getting better but still have dizziness. Regarding St. John’s wort, I am in a different city and cannot find it anywhere. What do you recommend as an alternative?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com. I would recommend herbal supplements containing Passiflora and Valerian or other herbal supplements for anxiety. It is not the same thing as St. John's wort, but they can help too. Regarding dizziness, I recommend patience and performing a regular physical activity to help reinforce your neck and back muscles. It will help improve dizziness.
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Neurology
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